Annular exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the invention provides an annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer and defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the end faces, wherein the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an annular exercise apparatus

BACKGROUND

New physical training programmes are increasingly using unconventional training techniques and equipment to provide original and varied ways of exercising that are both physically challenging and enjoyable. Training programmes such as cross-fit or military training use non-standard gym equipment such as ropes, logs and tyres to provide annular resistance during exercise. Tyre flipping is one such unconventional exercise in which an athlete lifts a large tyre by fist placing their fingers and hands under the tyre while squatting down. While pulling the tyre up with their arms and back the athlete straightens their legs in an explosive movement to lift the tyre. The explosive movement must be sufficient to generate enough momentum to enable the athlete to move their hand and arm position to switch from a pulling and lifting action to a pushing motion. In this second position the athlete then pushes the tyre, which pivots on its lower edge past the vertical tipping point with the tyre then falling forward onto its reverse side in a flat, horizontal position. This process may then be repeated to flip the tyre a predetermined number of repetitions or along a predefined distance as required by the training programme.

Tyres from large vehicles such as lorries or tractors are typically used for tyre flipping. The resistance weight of the tyre comes entirely from its own construction, being a combination of the weight of the rubber and reinforcement material. The weight is arbitrary as tyres are not manufactured in specific weight denominations. The size of the tyres also varies significantly depending on availability. It is therefore difficult to provide consistent training across multiple locations, or to provide an athlete with a specific weight denomination selected for their ability.

The use of old tyres as exercise equipment is attractive as significant waste is generated each year from tyres that are no longer suitable for use on vehicles. However, the used nature of the tyres and the material properties of the rubber, means the tyres are typically dirty and can leave deposits and markings on the athlete and floors and walls, and other equipment, in a gym where they are used. For this reason, old tyres are not typically used in modern gyms but rather in warehouse or industrial gym type environments. Furthermore, the surface area and profile of the side faces of old tyres has been found to generate a significant slap noise when the tyre is flipped and impacts the floor. This is undesirable to gym users and can be quite startling.

Conventional tyres are generally useful for a single activity in a health fitness context, i.e. tyre flipping. It can therefore be difficult to justify the space that would be taken up by one or more large tyres in a gym where floor space is already likely to be limited.

The applicant has previously developed a manufactured alternative to old tyres as disclosed in GB2521180. Such alternative comprises a annular exercise apparatus having an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core comprising at least one weight member, a resilient material provided either side of the weight member at least in the axial direction, and a flexible cover layer.

Such a construction has enabled the applicant to develop a compact annular apparatus of known size and weight that can be used in the same manner as a conventional tyre, i.e. flipping the exercise apparatus.

Tyre flipping, if performed correctly works several major muscle groups including the back, glutes, hamstrings, biceps, triceps, pectorals and abdominals. The activity of flipping the tyre effectively replicates the motions that would be required for an athlete to perform several individual resistance activities. However, known exercise tyres are generally only useful for performing the activity of tyre flipping.

The present invention relates to variations of the tyre of GB2521180 that enable a tyre to be used for a multitude of activities.

SUMMARY

As used in this description, the term “annular” refers to a ring shaped body in which a continuous body section surrounds an inner aperture. The term is not limited to a circular body shape and it is contemplated that in certain embodiments the ring may for example be square, hexagonal, octagonal or ellipsoidal. This definition does not limit the number of sides that an annular shaped body or aperture may have.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided an annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer and defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the end faces, wherein the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall.

Tyres used for exercise and manufactured tyre type exercise apparatus are typically lifted by inserting fingers underneath the tyre and then lifting so as to move the tyre from a first position in which the tyre lays flat on the floor on one side wall and a second position in which the tyre is upright and able to fall onto the opposite side wall of the tyre. It is not therefore possible, or even desirable to lift such tyres by gripping the tyre inside the aperture. The provision of an annular lip inside the aperture allows an athlete to grip the tyre between an annular end face and the lip. Tyres according to the invention can therefore be lifted in a number of different ways and can be more easily manipulated during exercise.

In one embodiment, a weight retainer is provided between the annular lip and the inner side wall. The weight retainer may be at least one pocket. The at least one pocket may each have an opening such that one or more weighted articles may be selectively inserted or removed from each of said pockets. Each pocket may comprise a fastener for closing a respective opening.

Use of weight retainer advantageously allows the weight of a tyre type exercise apparatus to be adjusted depending on intended use and user preferences. Prior art tyres come in different weights but there is no guarantee that available tyres will be of a weight that is suitable for a particular user. Furthermore, most gyms, commercial or home, will have only one or several tyres available for use. Use of the weight retainer thus adds flexibility to a tyre type exercise apparatus in terms of function and weight.

In one embodiment, the annular lip is defined by an axially inward facing projection and a recess formed between the projection and the inner side wall. The projection may have a substantially triangular form factor. The projection may have a width between 30 and 80 millimetres and a depth between 15 and 100 millimetres. Preferably, the projection may have a width of between 40 to 60 millimetres and a depth of between 15 to 40 millimetres. The projection may be coated with an anti-slip material.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided an annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the annular faces, wherein the core comprises a pair of first support members spaced apart axially by a second support member, wherein the pair of first support members is orientated radially relative to the body section and the second support member is orientated axially relative to the body section.

Traditional tyre type exercise apparatus are very limited in terms of the types of exercise that they can be used for. This is because of both their size and weight. Standard tyres, i.e. those off a lorry or tractor, have to be large enough to provide sufficient weight to justify their use as exercise apparatus. Manufactured tyre type exercise apparatus can be made smaller than standard tyres as weight can be added into the core of such apparatus. However, until now the weight of such manufactured tyre type exercise apparatus has been significant. The present invention allows a lighter tyre type exercise apparatus that can be used for many different types of functional and resistance exercises. Part of the reason manufactured tyre type exercise apparatus are heavy is to provide sufficient structural rigidity. Other than the weighted part, the rest of standard manufactured tyre type exercise apparatus is made from foam and flexible sheeting. Without the weight, such exercise apparatus would deform during use. Furthermore, for the exercises envisaged to be performed using such exercise apparatus, a small tyre would not be practical.

To provide a smaller tyre type exercise apparatus that is of a weight light enough to permit manipulation of the tyre, the weights of a standard tyre type exercise apparatus have been replaced with a lightweight support structure. Structural support members are embedded within the foam core such that at each annular end face, a polycarbonate disc is provided and a polycarbonate ring is provided between the inner side wall and outer side wall extending between the polycarbonate discs. Such a structure provides structural rigidity without adding significant weight to the tyre.

In one embodiment, a layer of resilient material is be provided axially outwardly of one or both of the pair of first support members and extending circumferentially between the aperture and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall. A layer of resilient material may be provided axially outwardly of one or both of the pair of first support members and extending circumferentially between the aperture and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall. A layer of resilient material may provided radially inward of the second support member and extending axially between the annular faces and radially between the second support member and the flexible cover layer at the inner side wall. A layer of resilient material may be provided radially outward of the second support member and extending axially between the annular faces and radially between the second support member and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall.

In one embodiment, the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall. The annular lip may be defined by an axially inward facing projection and a recess formed between the projection and the inner side wall.

In one embodiment, at least one of the annular faces is provided with an anti-slip material. The projection may also be provided with an anti-slip material.

In one embodiment, each of the annular faces has an outwardly facing convex profile. At least one retaining feature on at least one of the annular faces may be configured to attach to a corresponding retaining feature on another exercise apparatus.

DRAWINGS

The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosed system and method, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the system and method, presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that neither the system nor the method is limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the annular exercise apparatus.

FIG. 2 is sectional view of an annular exercise apparatus according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of part of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the annular exercise apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the annular exercise apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the annular exercise apparatus incorporating an internal weight pocket.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the annular exercise apparatus of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION

The same references are used for similar features throughout the drawings. The features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and the size and/or arrangements depicted are not limiting. The drawings include optional features which are not essential to the invention. Furthermore, not all of the features of the annular exercise apparatus are depicted in each drawing and the drawings may only show particular features relevant for describing a particular configuration or embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exercise apparatus 10 comprises an annular body 12. The annular body 12 comprises a central axis A-A. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 the annular body 12 is substantially cylindrical having a centrally defined axially extending aperture 14. The annular body 12 comprises axially opposed end faces 16, 18, an outer side wall 20 and inner side wall 22. The aperture 14 extends through the axially opposed end faces 16, 18. The radial width of the annular body 12, i.e. the distance between the outer side wall 20 and inner side wall 22, is substantially constant. The end faces 16, 18 have a convex profile with the convex surface 40, 42 extending radially between the respective end face 16, 18 and aperture 14.

The annular body 12 comprises a core surrounded by a flexible outer cover 26. FIG. 2 shows a section view of the annular exercise apparatus 10. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the construction of the core. The core comprises a polycarbonate disc 28, 30 within each end face 16, 18. Each polycarbonate disc 28, 30 is orientated radially relative to the annular body section 12. A foam material 32 is provided either side of the polycarbonate discs 28, 30 to separate them from the flexible cover layer 26. A polycarbonate ring 34 is provided between the outer side wall 20 and inner side wall 22. The polycarbonate ring 34 is orientated axially relative to the annular body section and perpendicular to the polycarbonate discs 28, 30. The polycarbonate ring 34 extends substantially between the polycarbonate discs 28, 30. A foam material 36 is provided either side of the polycarbonate ring 34 to separate it from the flexible cover layer 26. The flexible cover layer 26 is stitched, zipped, bonded or otherwise permanently secure in place over the core. The flexible cover is preferably formed from a flexible polymeric or other robust material that is selected to be resilient and provide care resistance as well as significant care resistance.

The size of the exercise apparatus is important if it is to be used for certain exercise routines. As described above, exercise apparatus used for tyre flipping is typically quite large so as to provide sufficient weight for both resistance and explosive movement. The purpose of the annular exercise equipment 10 of the present invention is to provide apparatus for multiple exercise routines that rely on manoeuvrability and flexibility. Therefore, an exemplary annular exercise apparatus 10 has an outer side wall 20 with a diameter of 670 millimetres and an inner side wall 22 having a diameter of 430 millimetres. The overall depth of the exercise apparatus 10 is 245 millimetres. The outer side wall 20 has a dimension of 170 millimetres between the convex surfaces 40, 42.

An annular lip 38 is provided at the aperture 14 to provide an internal surface for a user to grip in order lift the annular exercise apparatus 10. The annular lip 38 is defined by an inwardly facing projection 38 a from at least one of the end faces 16, 18 and a recess 38 b radially outward from and behind the projection 38 a. The projection 38 a is shown as forming a triangular apex. This description is given by way of example only and is not intended to limit the configuration of the projection 38 a. In some embodiments the annular lip 38 is provided at each end face 16, 18. In other embodiments, the annular lip 38 is provided at only one of the end faces 16, 18. As shown, the projection 38 a has an overall width of 50 mm measured radially outwards from the aperture 14. The triangular profile of the projection 38 a shown in figure defines an equilateral triangle with three sides each having a length of 25 millimetres.

As shown in FIG. 3, a user can pick up the exercise apparatus by inserting their fingers in the recess 38 b defined by the annular lip 38 and gripping the exercise apparatus 10 between an end face 16, 18 and the projection 38 a. A plurality of handles 24 are provided on the outer side wall 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The handles 24 are loop handles, the construction of which will be described further below. Preferably two handles 24 are arranged such that they are diametrically opposed at opposite sides of the outer side wall 20 with an angle of 180 degrees therebetween. Other embodiments may be provided with more than two handles 24. The handles 24 may be orientated either parallel or perpendicular to the axis A-A. Although not shown, a plurality of handles may be provided on the end faces 16, 18. Such handles would also be loop handles and would have even angular spacing.

To facilitate use of the annular exercise apparatus, at least one of the end faces 16, 18 is provided with an anti-slip material. The lip 38 is also provided with the anti-slip material. In some embodiments, both end faces 16, 18 may be provided with the anti-slip material. At least one of the end faces 16, 18 is provided with one or more releasable fasteners 44, i.e. Velcro®, to enable two or more individual annular exercise apparatuses 10 to be axially stacked and radially and axially restrained.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, at least one weight pocket 46 is provided between the lip 38 and inner side wall 22. The illustrated embodiment includes four weight pockets 46 but it will be appreciated that one, two, three, five, or more, weight pockets may be provided. Each weight pocket 46 comprises a pouch for retaining a weighted article and an opening allowing insertion and removal of a weighted article. Each pocket 46 may receive more than weighted article. Reference to weighted article also includes reference to any material that adds weight to the exercise apparatus, i.e. sand or water. In some embodiments the weight pocket may have a fastener such that the pocket is closable. As illustrated, in one embodiment, regardless of the number of weight pockets 46, such weight pockets are angularly spaced apart evenly so as to maintain an even weight distribution. In the event of a single weight pocket, such weight pocket may extend around the entire circumference of the inner side wall 22. In other embodiments to provide an imbalanced weight distribution, one weight pocket may be provided that does not extend around the circumference of the inner side wall 22 or multiple weight pockets may be provided that are not angularly spaced apart evenly.

While exemplary embodiments have been set forth above for the purposes of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein. 

1. An annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer and defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the end faces, wherein the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall.
 2. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular lip is defined by an axially inward facing projection and a recess formed between the projection and the inner side wall.
 3. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection has a substantially triangular form factor.
 4. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection has a width between 30 and 80 millimetres and a depth between 15 and 100 millimetres.
 5. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection has a width of between 40 to 60 millimetres and a depth of between 15 to 40 millimetres.
 6. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection is coated with an anti-slip material.
 7. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a weight retainer is provided between the annular lip and the inner side wall.
 8. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the weight retainer comprises at least one pocket.
 9. An annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the annular faces, wherein the core comprises a pair of first support members spaced apart axially by a second support member, wherein the pair of first support members is orientated radially relative to the body section and the second support member is orientated axially relative to the body section.
 10. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided axially outwardly of one or both of the pair of first support members and extending circumferentially between the aperture and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall.
 11. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided axially inwardly of one or both of the pair of first support members and extending circumferentially between the aperture and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall.
 12. The annular exercise material according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided radially inward of the second support member and extending axially between the annular faces and radially between the second support member and the flexible cover layer at the inner side wall.
 13. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided radially outward of the second support member and extending axially between the annular faces and radially between the second support member and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall.
 14. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall.
 15. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the annular lip is defined by an axially inward facing projection and a recess formed between the projection and the inner side wall and wherein the projection is provided with an anti-slip material.
 16. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the annular faces is provided with an anti-slip material.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the annular faces has an outwardly facing convex profile.
 19. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising at least one retaining feature on at least one of the annular faces configured to attach to a corresponding retaining feature on another exercise apparatus.
 20. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a weight retainer is provided between the annular lip and the inner side wall.
 21. An annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer and defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the end faces, wherein a weight retainer is provided between the inner side wall and the aperture. 